Cape Town is known for its rich, varied cultures, history and dynamic people. So it comes as no surprise to learn that the Mother City offers visitors and locals some fun arts and cultural experiences to enjoy.
In this post, I share some of my favourite, fun arts and cultural experiences in Cape Town – from museum hopping (for the history buffs among us) to a night out watching spellbinding performances at the Artscape Theatre or Cape Town City Hall.
My Favourite Arts and Cultural Experiences to Enjoy in Cape Town
1) Attend a local festival (like Open Book Festival)
One thing Cape Town (and surrounding small towns) offers in abundance is a wide array of exciting, diverse festivals.
You can enjoy everything from music festivals (like Rocking the Daisies, Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Kirstenbosch Summer Concert Series) to literary-, comic- and film-themed festivals (like the Cape Town Film Festival, Comic Con or Cape Town Open Book Festival) to food-and-drink feasts like Oktoberfest, Street Food Festival and the South African Cheese Festival.
Festivals feel like an important part of Western Cape culture – every small town has its own festival… and I’m not even exaggerating when I say this!
A Focus on the Open Book Festival
Mother City-based festivals, meanwhile, offer unique experiences and the chance to savour an entirely different slices of our beautiful city.
One of my personal favourite festivals is the Open Book Festival, an annual literary festival held in Cape Town.
This book-loving festival began in 2011 and famously took place every September until COVID-19 brought about a more fluid festival, with multiple events held throughout the year.
Festival highlights have always included a range of interesting workshops, local- (like South African novelist, Deon Meyer or celebrity chef, Jenny Morris) and international-guest speakers, the youth fest and much, much more.
One for the Literary Lovers
What I love about the Open Book Festival is how all-inclusive and varied its offerings, guest speakers and attendees are.
You can go from engaging, thought-provoking discussions to fun comic workshops or kiddies’ book readings in the span of a few hours.
This multi-day festival usually takes place in September (you can visit their website for exact programme- and date-announcements). Although, as of 2023, they are bringing three different Open Book experiences to Cape Town.
Note: If the Open Book Festival is not your vibe, keep an eye on Quicket, Webtickets and Cape Town Tourism for other upcoming festivals.
When:
Usually held annually in September. However, since COVID-19, they have started offering a range of Open Book events throughout the year, starting in March/April.
Family-friendly:
Some of the events are certainly family-friendly, as there are even some book readings for kiddies – but most events and workshops are aimed more at youth and adults.
Venue address:
The Open Book festival is split into bite-size events and workshops held across the Mother City.
(In the past, I have personally attended events at the now-closed Fugard Theatre, Book Lounge and Cape Town Library.)
Website:
Contact details:
N/A
2) Experience an Event at the CTICC
Since 2014, I have attended a series of events and conferences at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) – everything from the Cape Premier Yearling Sale to the Vinimark Wine Worx Trade Fair to the first edition of Comic Con Cape Town – and every time, the experience, staff, venue and catering have impressed me from start to finish.
The CTICC is Cape Town’s authority on all things conferences, expos and of course, events.
They run a tight ship and always put their best foot forward, whether they host local- or international-events.
Attending Cape Town’s First-ever Comic Con Event
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Most recently, in April 2023, we attended Cape Town’s first-ever Comic Con event at the CTICC. As ever, this world-class convention centre impressed.
The day was safe and well-organised, the staff professional and friendly and above all, this four-day event went off without even the slightest hiccup.
If you really want to experience quality events, conferences or expos in Cape Town, you have to attend an event at the CTICC.
I love attending events and conferences at the CTICC. I particularly like their sense of organisation and classiness; ample, secure underground parking; and central location in the Mother City.
For a list of their latest upcoming events, expos and conferences, please visit their website.
When:
The CTICC plays host to various events throughout the year – but, for future Comic Con Cape Town events, please visit the Comic Con Africa website directly.
Family-friendly:
Some events at the CTICC have age restrictions but many events, like Comic Con Cape Town, are family-friendly.
Venue address:
Website:
Contact details:
+27 (021) 410 5000, info@cticc.co.za
3) Explore Our Local History Museums (including the South African National Gallery) and the Planetarium
Cape Town has a slew of insightful and emotive museums to explore.
Some of the most interesting include the Iziko South African Museum (situated within the historic Company’s Gardens), the Planetarium and Digital Dome, Heart of Cape Town Museum, the Cape Town Holocaust & Genocide Centre, District Six Museum, Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum, Slave Lodge and the Castle’s own Military Museum.
Of the few Cape Town museums I have visited (which is quite a short list even now), I personally found the Cape Town Holocaust & Genocide Centre the most stirring.
As a history buff, another favourite of mine is the Military Museum. It offers a unique glimpse into military history, local wars, artefacts and much more.
Note: Another fascinating historical- and cultural-highlight in Cape Town is the Castle of Good Hope. You can read all about the castle in my three-part review series.
Please note: Most Cape Town museums charge entry fees (these vary for adults, pensioners, school children and students).
Having said this, they are also often free on significant commemorative days, like Human Rights Day (21 March), Freedom Day (27 April), International Museum Day (18 May), Heritage Day (24 September) etc.
For a full list of free days to visit and standard pricing for Iziko-specific museums, please see here.
When:
Museum opening times vary so you need to check Cape Town Tourism or the museum’s respective website for details.
Another handy source is Iziko’s website, which lists all their museums, as well as the entry fees and set opening times.
Family-friendly:
Yes, our local museums are certainly family-friendly. In particular, the Iziko South African Museum and Planetarium, which are always a hit with little ones.
However, for museums like the Cape Town Holocaust & Genocide Centre, I would only take older children. It’s a lot even for an adult to try process and really is an emotionally fraught experience.
Venue address:
Various locations across Cape Town.
Please visit the respective museum’s website for details.
Website:
Contact details:
Various.
4) See a Show, Play or Ballet at the Artscape Theatre Centre
Since it opened in 1971, the Artscape Theatre Centre has long been a arts and culture hub in the Mother City.
With its central location and close proximity to the CBD, the Convention Centre and even the V&A Waterfront, the Artscape is perfectly positioned to serve Cape Town’s performing arts-, film-, conference- and exhibition-needs.
Covering some 14 000 square metres, this impressive theatre complex is fully equipped with an Opera House (which seats 1487), theatre (which seats 540), a smaller theatre (which seats 140), gardens, a piazza, rehearsal rooms and ample secure parking.
Best of all, it offers a range of technical services (everything from lightning to stage effects) and over time, they have secured some top-class wardrobe experts.
These elements seamlessly combine and result in spellbinding performances and stage productions.
Inside, this space is classy and well-maintained, with plush seats and impressive social spaces.
Intervals are always a buzz, set amid a sea of lights, lavish furnishings and hands-on catering areas, from which you can buy drinks and snacks.
Performances to Mesmerise Young and Old
I first visited the Artscape as a young, budding drama student when I came to watch a popular Afrikaans play (Vlooi). Even then, as a primary schooler, I found it a memorable experience.
In 2022, now as an adult, I re-visited this timeless space. I watched two ballet shows – Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker respectively – and fell in love with it all over again.
Here, ballets, plays and other stage performances mesmerise and captivate audiences young and old.
Tip: If you see a performance or show here, I highly recommend booking something that features either the talented Cape Town City Ballet or Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra – or better yet, both together!
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All your senses come alive watching these two stalwarts of Cape Town’s creative scene perform together; it is pure magic!
When:
The Artscape Theatre has a variety of shows on year-round.
For different shows, pricing and other information, please check their website or browse Computicket.
Family-friendly:
Yes, absolutely. Not all shows are family-friendly, of course (some have age restrictions) – but many of them are!
The Artscape Theatre is a wonderful experience for young and old. When we attended the ballet, we saw a beautiful mix of families with young kiddies (adorably dressed up for the occasion), couples and groups of friends. Shows are also a great idea for date night!
Venue address:
Artscape Theatre Centre, D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Website:
Contact details:
+27 (021) 410 9800
5) Spend a Night with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra at Cape Town City Hall
What do you get when you cross one of Cape Town’s oldest, most beautifully restored architectural spaces with a modern musical force to be reckoned with?
An incredible music-inspired experience, that’s what!
If you attend a concert at the Cape Town City Hall, the home of Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra – then you are guaranteed a night of wonder, music and classic old-school charm.
We attended one of their enchanting autumn concerts (they have a series of concerts every season – often featuring exciting international guest soloists, like insanely talented violinist Veriko Tchumburidze) and it was like something straight out of Vienna.
By day, Cape Town City Hall is a Cape Town icon, which overlooks the bustling Grand Parade and Castle of Good Hope.
It is famous for a number of historical- and political-events. Most importantly, this was the location from which former President Nelson Mandela addressed the masses after his release from prison in 1990.
(Since then, in 2022 and 2023, City Hall has also hosted the State of the Nation Address (SONA), after the buildings of Parliament suffered fire damage in January 2022.)
For more on City Hall, read my historic highlights post.
A Night to Remember at City Hall
By night, City Hall transforms into a magical space where glittering golden chandeliers, lavish halls, lofty ceilings and imposing marble statues and beautiful flooring play host to a marvellous symphony of music.
The City Hall has three main halls: Grand (ground floor; seats 953), Minor (first floor; seats 184) and Banqueting (second floor; seats 226).
Experiencing a concert here is truly incredible! You really feel as if you have stepped into an older, simpler world.
For the first time in years, I scarcely saw anyone with their phones out for the entirety of the evening.
Even during the interval, people chose to mingle and socialise rather than snap selfies or text.
Music to Bewitch You: Mind, Body and Soul
Ah and the music, the music is beyond beautiful! I kept wishing I could close my eyes and just let it flow through me – but seeing the orchestra perform live is too captivating to miss.
Concerts are reasonably priced, although seats and pricing vary.
If you want the best seats in the house, I recommend the concert gallery. But there are other more affordable options, including right in front of or just behind the main stage where the orchestra performs.
Some Handy Tips
On concert night, there are usually pre-concert talks (which provide a fascinating introduction to the evening) and pre-concert drinks (including MCC, wine and water) for sale. Just please do not take any food or drinks into the halls with you.
Also, during the 15-minute interval, you have a chance to socialise and grab some hurried snacks.
They sell everything from hot chocolate and coffee to carrot loaf, samoosas and muffins. The interval goes by quickly though, so, if you are hoping to slowly savour your drink, this is not the time, nor place for it.
While there is no set dress code and you can come in casual clothing, please be respectful and try make an effort to dress nicely.
Many of the guests go all out and dress to the nines – with suit jackets, top hats and canes or long elegant dresses, heels and fur coats.
While you don’t have to follow suit, I feel you should wear a nice outfit when attending a formal play, ballet or orchestra event, as a common courtesy if nothing else.
If you bring your phone along, please put it on silent during the concert. And only take photos before or after performances, not during.
Another important tip is to arrive on time. Or you may not be allowed in for the concert, as ushers are instructed to not allow entry unless it is between works.
When:
The orchestra usually has a series of concerts every season.
For updates on the latest concert performances and dates, subscribe to their newsletter or check their website (or Computicket).
Family-friendly:
At our concert, we saw some older children present and the event states ‘all ages’ on Computicket.
However, I would say these concerts are best suited to music-loving tweens, teens and adults, as these events run on quite late. (We left ours around 21:45 pm.)
Venue address:
Cape Town City Hall, Darling Street, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
Website:
Contact details:
+27 (021) 444 0747, fazlin.simon@capetown.gov.za
6) Attend a Music Concert at Cape Town/DHL Stadium or GrandWest Casino
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There is nothing quite like seeing your favourite international band or singer – like Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran, One Republic or Counting Crows – perform live in Cape Town.
Since 2015, I have attended big music concerts at both GrandWest Casino’s Grand Arena and the Cape Town/DHL Stadium respectively. And I have always found these concert venues to put on professional, memorable and incredible music concerts.
Concerts in Cape Town
The atmosphere is always great and generally (thanks in no small part to organisers like Big Concerts), concerts go off without a hitch (even as our country grapples with loadshedding).
Both venues offer standing- (usually Golden Circle) and seated-options. I have to say, regardless of whether you sit or stand, both venues consistently nail their acoustics, lighting and stage effects and offer a great audio-visual experience for all fans.
At GrandWest’s Grand Arena, I have done Golden Circle (a row or two back from the main stage) and seated tickets alike – and both times, the experience was incredible!
With Cape Town stadium, I have only ever done seated experiences (including during the 2010 FIFA World Cup) and they have all been excellent. In time, though, I would like to try Golden Circle standing; it’s definitely a vibe at the stadium!
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Useful Concert Tips
Concert experiences are usually booked through safe ticketing bodies like TicketMaster or Computicket.
(With Ticketmaster, I just downloaded the app and my ticket was loaded a month before the concert. Then, on the day, you just get scanned in using the QR code.)
Both venues have safe, secure parking in the vicinity of the venue. Although I generally arrive a few hours before my concert gates open to scout out the area, find good parking and have a bite to eat.
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If you are at the Cape Town Stadium, you can easily walk to and from the V&A Waterfront for some refreshments before your show.
Whereas GrandWest Casino has an array of restaurants and a sizeable food court. (Just reserve a table well in advance – restaurants book up for concert days.)
Although it’s important to note that both venues usually have a nice, though often pricey food and drinks section available on concert day. (At the stadium, they usually have hawkers selling snacks; food trucks and more on-site.)
When:
Concerts are announced throughout the year, usually by organisers like Big Concerts.
Please visit their website for the latest international concert performers visiting South Africa.
Family-friendly:
Most concerts are listed as family-friendly but there are sometimes age restrictions or else, young children must attend with a parent or guardian.
However, even at high tempo shows like Imagine Dragons, I saw a lot of younger kids having a blast with their families!
Just keep in mind that most concerts only start at 19:00/20:00 pm and often, once the crowds have dispersed from the venue and you are heading for the exit with half of Cape Town in the traffic next to you, you get home very late, often close to midnight.
It’s a long, adrenaline-fuelled day for both children and adults.
Venue address:
- Cape Town/DHL Stadium: Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Green Point, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
- GrandWest Grand Arena: GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World, 1 Jakes Gerwel Drive, Acacia Park, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
Website:
- Cape Town/DHL Stadium: dhlstadium.co.za
- GrandWest Grand Arena: www.suninternational.com
Contact details:
- Cape Town/DHL Stadium: +27 (021) 417 0111, info@dhlstadium.co.za
- GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World: +27 (021) 505 7777, grandwest@suninternational.com
7) Visit an African Art Museum (Zeitz MOCAA)
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) is Africa’s ground-breaking art museum situated in the trendy Silo District, Cape Town.
This architectural wonder is home to a selection of contemporary art exhibits and collections from Africa and its diaspora.
Beyond showcasing some of the continent’s most fascinating or thought-provoking pieces, this art museum also researches and preserves contemporary art and strives to make art accessible to all.
While some of the museum’s galleries feature temporary or rotating exhibitions, there is also a dedicated space that houses a permanent collection.
The institution also has a Centre for Art Education, Centre for the Moving Image and a great project space for up-and-coming artists.
I visited the museum in 2018 (read my full review here) and was blown away by every inch of this insightful, whimsical space.
It’s a wonderful, unique museum to explore and ensures more than its fair share of both African arts and culture.
Museum Details
While the museum is happily free to under 18s, teens must present some form of ID – and there is a paid entry fee for adults.
For latest entry fees and other information, please see here.
Every Wednesday (between 10:00 am and 13:00 pm), African citizen can enjoy free entry into this museum. All you have to do is present a valid South African ID or African passport.
You can also visit for free during any day of your birthday month (valid Tuesday to Sunday only, as they are closed on Mondays). Again, just show your SA ID or African passport.
When:
The museum is open year-round, from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 18:00 pm. Last entry is at 17:30 pm.
Family-friendly:
Yes, absolutely. Although some of the exhibits are quite quirky and unusual (and some may be a bit scary or daunting for youngsters) – the museum is definitely still family-friendly.
In fact, it is even free to under 18s. (Although, as noted earlier, teens do need some form of ID.)
Venue address:
Zeitz MOCAA, V&A Waterfront Silo District, S Arm Road, Waterfront, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Website:
Contact details:
+27 (087) 350 4777, info@zeitzmocaa.museum
Culture Vultures Unite
These are just some of the best arts and cultural experiences in Cape Town.
I hope they delight all my fellow culture vultures and art lovers as much as they do me! 🙂
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